EDITORIAL

Why too many applicants could be bad

These are telling times for Xavier University. The University is being investigated by the federal government for mishandling rape allegations. People across the country still view Xavier as "gangstas, not thugs" and the

University mission statement is undergoing a change. In the midst of all this, applications to attend Xavier are up 17 percent — what are we to make of this? To begin, Xavier should take a long and hard look at who we let in. Just because 10,000 (for the first time in history) applied, we

should not take the stock formula and spit out a calculated numeral for our expected class of 2016. We, as a proud, Jesuit university, should examine each and every

application and render a decision from one all the way to 10,518. Regardless of whom we let into our University, the quality of Xavier's education and cherished Community feel should never be sacrificed. As various columnists have noted in the Opinions and Editorials pages of the Newswire, there is increasing fear that students at Xavier are being viewed as numbers, and no longer as students.

While we at the Newswire understand the financial aspect of a university, part of what differentiates Xavier is knowing a wide array of other students and having conversations with professors, past as well as present. Despite this warning from the Newswire, we would also like to point out the opportunity that we have before us. The University can

now select from a bigger pool of students. The option to pick the best and most talented students is a privilege. But with this opportunity the admissions office should be careful not to become too infatuated with formulas

and accept students only for the purpose of paying off expensive dormitories, cafeterias, learning commons and business schools, broadly speaking. More importantly,

the quality and core characteristics of Xavier should be carefully examined and acceptance packets should logically follow. We at the Newswire would be happy to see a class of 2016 of 800, if those truly are the 800 future Musketeers who will work hard to represent the school and

not simply show up to campus, cause criminal problems or drag University academics down. And so, as low as the number needs to be, please Xavier admissions, only accept those students that are the true cream of the crop.